Union County College

Criminal Investigation
CRJ-203 Final Exam
Professor Louis Mignone

Student Name: Kamil Koczara

1. Explain and identify the distinguish characteristics between the following forms of Larceny: Shoplifting, Bunco Swindles, and Credit
Card Fraud.

Larceny is the unlawful obtaining taking or withholding without force of an item of value from another with the intent to
deprive permanently commonly known as theft. Shoplifting refers to a theft committed in a retail business during the hours of
commercial operation. The Bunco swindle involves deceit and trickery to accomplish the swindlers aim. Credit card fraud refers to
the illegal transactions to defraud individuals or businesses utilizing a personal, altered, or stolen credit card number.

2. Describe three different forms of Forgery as explained James N. Gilbert.

1.Computer-aided forgery is the use of computers software graphics to copy corporate logos and check designs to duplicate
authentic checks
2.Altered checks- the operation involves a rearrangement of preexisting information or erasures or additions.
3.Insuficient funds- In these situations checks are drawn on accounts that do not contain enough money to cover the check amount


3. What is meant by the term Phishing? Provide an example of a case involving Phishing.

Phishing refers to a computer fraud technique in which suspects create e-mail or web sites to look like those of actual well-
known legitimate business, government agencies or financial institutions for the purpose of fraudulently obtaining money or goods.
A example of phishing would be someone entered their credit card information on a web site and that information was used to make
with drawls on their account unauthorized purchases or a creditor calling wanting payments for bills the victim has no knowledge of.


4. Distinguish between Drug Abuse and Drug Addiction and include how Withdrawal Symptoms relate to these conditions.

Drug abuse is when narcotics or dangerous drugs are used improperly and/or illegally which leads to a state of dependence
where the stopping of the drug uses is followed by withdrawal. Drug addiction refers to a physical or mental state of chronic
dependence on a drug substance often characterized by tolerance and withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawal symptoms relate to drug addiction the most because the users dependence on the drug is so high that a few hours without
the drug causes very painful and serious withdrawal symptoms.

5. Compare and contrast the effects of Depressants, Stimulants, and Hallucinogens and provide an example of each type of substance.

Depressants are drug compounds, which have a sedative effect on the nervous system such as Seconal, Valium, OxyContin
and Nembutal. Stimulants are commonly known as uppers stimulants have a stimulating affect on the central nervous system the
most commonly abused stimulant of dangerous drugs are the various amphetamines. Hallucinogens are drug substances, both natural
and synthetic , that distort the perception of objective reality such as LSD, PCP,MDMA and Marijuana.


6. Explain the role of Methadone as a treatment and identify its shortcomings in terms of its inability to reduce addiction.

Methadone was originally developed to serve as a pain reducer, its widely used in medical supervised heroin detoxification
programs. However the use of one drug to replace another has resulted in controversy although methadone does not produce the
euphoric high like heroin a similar tolerance and dependency can develop in the user when methadone usage ceases the resulting
withdrawal symptoms are not as severe but they may be more prolonged then heroin.

7. What are the investigatory steps for organizing a Controlled Informant Buy?

The investigatory steps for organizing a controlled informant buy are
1.Before meeting the suspect the informant should be searched for contraband all personal monies and medications should be
relinquished by the informant and money should be tracked by serial number
2.The informant should be transported to the buy loction so the investigator can testify the informant was always in sight. If a personal
vehicle is used it should be thoroughly searched
3. The building in which the buy is taking place should be put under surveillance with times carefully noted of entrance and exit of the
informant
4. Upon exiting the informant should be followed so the officer can later testify that the informant had no opportunity to meet
someone else to secure drugs
5.At the meeting location all items purchased should be taken and marked for evidence. Money not used during the buy should also be
recovered. A search of the suspects person and vehicle should again be conducted. The evidence should promptly be entered into the
evidence room of the agency.
6. The informant should be carefully interviewed as to what transpired during the buy.

8. What is meant by the term Street Gang and what are its characteristics that are present in varying degrees?

A street gang is an association of youthful individuals, generally ranging in age from 13 to the early 20s who exhibit the
following characteristics in various degrees;
1.a gang name and recognizable symbols;
2.a defined geographic territory;
3.regular meeting patterns; and
4.an organized, continuous course of criminality.


9. Explain the levels of social hierarchy within a Street Gang.

1. Founding members. Often referred to as original gangsters often the oldest members and may have helped found the
group. They are held in high esteem because of their street skills prison experiences and material possessions acquired
through drug dealing
2.Hard-core members. Generally 16 to 24 years of age and totally dedicated to gang enterprise and activities these
individuals are likely to wear gang colors ;they direct most street level sales of cocaine.
3.New members. Often referred to as baby gangsters range in age 12 to 16 years old. Typically used as drug curriers and
often sell small amounts of crack cocaine. Some are gang wannabes and are awaiting or seeking initiation.
4.Street lookouts. Sometimes known as tiny gangsters they represent the youngest level and usually serve as outlooks and
messengers for older gang members.


10. How is Stalking generally defined by state statute and what methods are commonly employed in the commission of this crime?

Stalking is defined as an intentional course of conduct directed at a specific person, serving no legitimate purpose that
seriously alarms, annoys, intimidates, or harasses the targeted individual. The method most commonly employed in the commission of
this crime is a protection order or restraining order.


11. Distinguish between Child Abuse and Child Neglect and provide two examples of each.

Child abuse is physical, emotional, or sexual abuse done to a child by a caregiver done with intent. Where as child neglect
is negligent harm done to a child by a caregiver.
Child abuse = injuries sustained by other than accidental means and children who have been sexually molested
Child neglect = not feeding the child properly or leaving children unattended for long periods of time

12. What is Arson according to James N. Gilbert? Summarize the reasons why an Arson investigator seeks to identify the Point of
Ignition, True Property Owner, Insurance Data, and Business History,

Arson is the willful and malicious intentional act of setting fire to property for some improper and illegal motive.
An arson investigator seeks to identify the point of ignition, true property owner, insurance data and business history to see where the
fire originated and if there was use of accelerants along with identifying the real property owner because many businesses and
apartment buildings have front or straw ownership to conceal the true owners identity. The insurance data is used to find out
questions about when the building was last appraised how old the building is the true value of it an such and the business history is
looked at to see if the business has been operating at a loss all these are useful in the arson investigation to see if there was any fowl
play involved








13. What are three considerations for investigator during a case that possibly involves a Serial Arsonist and why would these steps be
taken?

Three considerations for investigators to take during a case of a serial arsonist would be
Signs of Accelerant usage (something flammable that increases the speed of a fire), alibi patterns, videos should also be investigated
for familiar faces the suspect always returns to the scene. Examining the suspects pockets because the contents of an arsonist may
reveal the ignition means in form of a matchbook or lighter, the suspects skin and clothing should also be examined for a presence of
burns and hospital emergency personnel should be questioned as to individuals seeking treatment for burns suffered during the
ignition.





14. What is Dactyloscopy and Fingerprint Ridges how are patterns classified in this identification process?

Dactyloscopy is the study of fingerprints for identification purposes. Fingerprint ridges are the raised layers of skin
along which are scattered the ends of tiny ducts, or pores from the sweat glands in the dermal layer underneath. Patterns are
classified in terms of loop, whorl or arch. To determine each pattern they must first be introduced by: pattern area, type lines,
divergence, delta and core.


15. How are Latent Fingerprints commonly Located, Developed, and Lifted at a crime scene?

Latent fingerprints are commonly located at a crime scene unintentionally and investigators search for these impressions
by the suspected nature of the crime such as point of entry are processed, developing occurs by dusting and lifting involves the placement of
a clear adhesive tape or rubber lifter against the powdered latent impression. The impression is then transferred onto the tape or rubber
surface, the lifting tape is then adhered to a clean paper card for preservation.


16. What is AFIS and how is it utilized by law enforcement?

AFIS is the automated fingerprint identification system. Law enforcement uses this system to file, classify and identify
fingerprints automatically for criminal identification leading to arrests or applicants for employment and firearms


17. What legal requirements for court admissibility must be met during a Lineup as per the Wade Decision?

Wade Decision, a legal lineup requires a reasonable number of participants, generally from five to nine persons. The
individuals must be of the same sex, race, approximate age and body build. Suspects need to be randomly placed, the witness should
never be guided or told which individual is suspected and the witness should identify the suspect by numbers. A photograph of each
participant in the lineup should be taken and the investigator should prepare a lineup report indicating who was present at the lineup
and who were the participants including date, time and place and the investigator on the case cannot do the lineup.


18. Compare and contrast the investigators function within each of these court proceedings: First Arraignment / Preliminary Hearing,
Indictment / Grand Jury, and Trial.

- First arraignment may include a brief testimony or offer no testimony at the time for the first arraignment is usually a
short hearing informs the accused of his/her legal rights, fixes bail and sets a date for a preliminary hearing.
- The indictment typically includes the formal accusation of the offense determining if the case merits judicial review.
- Grand jury is limited to prosecution witnesses and enough evidence may be submitted for an indictment.
- Trial includes direct and cross-examination, that depending on information revealed can lead to sentencing or appeal


19. What is the function of a Cold Case Squad and how have advances in criminalistics technology aided in the success of these missions?

Cold-case squads utilize DNA processing in solving old cases. With recent scientific advancements cold case squads are
able to examine evidence from previous cases some 40-50 years old for leftover DNA



20. What is meant by the term Biometrics and explain how Iris Recognition Technology is related.

Biometrics is any form of identification or technological development linked to the use of unique biological material. Iris-
recognition technology relates to it because similar to fingerprint ridges, the iris produces individualized patterns which is a unique
biological trait. So iris-recognition technology can record the unique iris pattern and store it for further references in identification.